Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 646,255. Patented Mar. 27, moo.

n. L. BECK. 'ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed June 27, 1899.)

2 Sheets'-Sheet (No Model.)

fig v lljamjler R x W aw War V :W/aam/ No. 646,255. Patented Mar. 27, 1900.

R. L. BECK.

I ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed June 27, 1899.)

2 Sheets-sheet 2 (No Model.)

4; Noims FEVER}; 00.. PHOTO-LING" WASHINGTON, u. c.

. Nrrnn STATES RODEN L. BECK, OF MELVERN, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ORREN C. WILLIAMS, JR,

OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,25 5, dated March 27, 1900'. Application filed June 2'7, 1899. Serial No. 722,089. (No mod'elz) My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for generating gas of that kind pro- I duced by a liquid attacking a solid, according to the now familiar process of producing acetylene by the decompositionof calcium carbid and water.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means for feeding water to either of a series of generators on a decrease in the available gas-supply, such water-feeding devices being supplied from the gasometer-tank and operable to cut off the flow of water to the active generator on exhaustion of the carbid charge therein.

A further object is to provide an improved construction of the generator wherein a perforated pipe is employed for admitting water to the carbid for the escape of gas from the chamber and as a means for holding the generator-cover in place to secure a gas-tight joint.

A further object is to provide means by which the gas is cooled,'the aqueous vapors therein condensed, and is washed free from sediment before it enters the chamber of the gasometer-bell.

\Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combination of elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side eleva- 40 tion of a gas-generating apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation through the gasometer and the generator, illustrating the pipes forming the piping system, by which water is conveyed to the generator, gas is transferred from the generator to the gasometer, so as to traverse the condenser, and the gasometer and generator may be vented. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view illustrating a battery of generators in operative relation to the storage-gasometer,

the generators of such battery being sus-- pended from a common pipe in a manner for the water to overflow from one generator to the other, so as to bring the generators succe'ssively into service. Fig. tie a vertical sectional elevation on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, illustrating the water-feed devices and the trip for controlling the same. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the tiltable water-feed drum,illus trating the trip-lever and counterpoise by which the drum may be actuated. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the cover for the generator, illustrating the means by which the cover may be clampedupon the generator to secure a gas-tight joint between said cover and the generator-bell and also between the cover and the gas-outlet.

The same numerals of reference are used c to indicate like and corresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

lO desiguates the tank of the gasometer', having 'the base or footpiece 11 for elevating the bottom thereof above the floor and accommodating the several pipes, and near its upper end said tank is equipped with a filling-spout 12, by which water may be conveniently poured into the chamber of said tank to nearly fill the latter, substantially to the line indicated by Fig. 2 of the drawings. The gas-bell 13 is inverted into the tank 10 for immersion in the water therein, so as to be normally sealed by the water and to travel freely in a vertical direction. Thisgas-bell may be of any construction preferred by those 85 skilled in the art, and for convenience in weighting the bell, so as to secure pressure upon the gas, I have provided a Weight-receptacle 14 on the head of the bell, said weight-receptacle being open for the ready in- 9o troduction or removal of one or more weights, according to the desired gas-pressure.

In my apparatus I employ a battery of generators which are designed to be brought successively into service by the water overflow- 5 ing from an active generator to a reserve or inactive generator, so that the generation of gas may be continued automatically in the event of exhaustion of the carbid charge in one or the other of the generators which are included in said battery, whereby the exhausted generator may be uncoupled and removed from the apparatus for the purpose of recharging said exhausted generator and without interrupting the continuity of the gas-generating operation. The generators forming this battery are suspended from a single pipe which serves for the inlet of water to the generators and for the outflow of gas therefrom, and each generator is suspended for removal individually from the pipe.

Each generator consists of a body or receptacle 15, designed to contain a proper quantity of calcium carbid, said body of the generator pail or receptacle being of sheet-metal construction or of cast metal. If the body is made of sheet metal, I prefer to equip it with a cast-metal base 16, as shown more clearly by Fig. 2, and to this cast-metal base is firmly united in any suitable Way a perforated pipe 24, said pipe being disposed centrally within the generator and adapted to be connected detachably to a horizonal pipe for the purpose of suspending the generator removably from said horizontal pipe. At its upper end the pail or receptacle of the generator is provided with an offstanding flange 17, which is fashioned to provide an intermediate chamber 18, adapted to receive a suitable liquid to form a seal around the flanged edge of a cover 19, said cover being seated upon the generator-receptacle 15 for'its flanged edge to be immersed in the liquid seal which is contained in the chamber 18, thus minimizing the leakage of gas from the generator. For the purpose of conveniently carrying the generator out of doors after it shall have been uncoupled from the horizontal pipe and previous to recharging said generator without permitting the gas to escape into the building I provide the generator with a bail or handle 17, which normally lies in a folded position alongside the generator-receptacle; but this bail can be elevated to a position above the generator-receptacle for conveniently handling the latter.

The cover is provided in its upper face with a central depression or pocket 21. A gasket 23 is fitted within the pocket or depression 21 in the upper face of said cover, said gasket surrounding the upper extremity of a perforated pipe 24. Thispipe is arranged centrally within the chamber for its lower end to be secured firmly to the bottom 16 by means of the threaded joint 25, the upper end of said pipe 24 extending through an orifice in the cover 19 and projecting therefrom through the gasket 23, which is seated in the central pocket 21 of said cover. This pipe 24. is thus attached to the pail or vessel to remain in a fixed position therein, said pipe being provided with numerous perforations at points intermediate its length and between the joint 25 and the point where the cover 19 is fitted removably thereto. The pipe serves an important purpose in my generator, because it provides for the distribution of water to the mass of the carbid charge which is packed in the generator-chamber around said. tube, the

perforations in the upper part of the tube allowing the gas to escape freely from the chamber of the generator through said tube and the piping system connected therewith. A coupling 26 has threaded engagement at 27 with the upper protruding end of the perforated pipe 24, said coupling being thus ad-' justable by the threaded joint connection with the perforated pipe for the purpose of compressing the gasket 23 to make a tight joint around the pipe 24. at the point where it passes through the generator-cover, thus minimizing the leakage of gas from the generator.

The coupling 26 is threaded interiorly and exteriorly, the interiorly-threaded portion 27 of said coupling having engagement with the pipe 24 for adjustment thereon to compress the gasket 23, while the externally-threaded portion of the coupling has a threaded engagement with the shell of a three-way cock for the purpose of attaching the pipe 24. to said cock, which is in turn connected to a horizontal pipe, whereby the coupling 26 and the pipe 24 operate to suspend the generator vessel removably from the horizontalpipe. .,The coupling 26 is flared or enlarged toward its lower portion, as shown more clearly by Fig. 6, for the purpose of making the lower edge ofthe coupling enter the annular recess 21 and engage properly with the gasket 23, thus enabling the coupling to turn freely around the upper protruding end of the pipe 24 and exposing the portion of the coupling between the three-way valve and the generator-cover for convenient access. The perforated pipe 2i also serves as the means for distributing'water t0 the carbid within the generator and as the outlet of gas from said generator.

32 designates the horizontal pipe from which the generators constituting the battery are individually suspended, and, as shown by Fig. 3, this pipe 32 is of curved or segmental form, so as to lie parallel to the gasometer and dispose the battery of generators in close relation thereto, thus reducing the floor area occupied by the apparatus. At one end this horizontal pipe 32 is provided with a branch adapted to convey the gas to a pipe, presently described, which transmits the gas to the condenser located within the gasometer; but to the other end of the horizontal pipe 32 is connected the short leg of a vertically-disposed trap-pipe, into which water is supplied in regulated volumes from a suitable water-feed mechanism, said trap-pipe being open to the atmosphere and containing under all conditions of service a certain quantity of water, which forms a seal in said trap-pipe to prevent the gas from escaping from either of the generators of the battery.

The long leg of the trap-pipe is disposed alongside of the gasometer-tank 10, so as to have its upper end terminate in a funnelshaped mouth 35. This trap-pipe 34 extends to the lower end of the generators, so that the legs may normally contain a sufficient supply of water to prevent the gas from passing from the generator through the trap-pipe, and Water in regulated volumes is supplied to said trap-pipe 34 by means of a rocking feed vessel or drum 36, which is equipped with a spout that overhangs the funnel-mouth 35 for delivering the Water into said trap-pipe. This rocking feed vessel or drum is supported by a horizontal shaft 37, alongside of the gasometer-tank and in a plane approximately the same as the normal water-line within the tank 10, one end of said shaft 37 being supported in a short bracket 38, which is fixed to the tank 10 between the latter and said drum, while the other end of the shaft 37 finds a bearing in the long bracket 39, also secured to the tank, all as more clearly shown by Fig. 4. The drum or vessel is hollow to provide a chamber adapted to receive a supply of water which is to be delivered to the trap-pipe 34, said drum arranged to oscillate on or with the shaft 37 for delivering its contents into the trap-pipe. The drum is provided on one side with a spout 40, designed to be normally elevated above the water-level in the tank 10, so as to cutoff the flow of water from the drum to the funnel-mouth of the trap-pipe, said drum being furthermore provided with a guide or stop 41, which is arranged on one side thereof in a position to receive the trip-lever 42. Said lever is fitted loosely on or fulcru med to the drum-shaft 37 to extend alongside of the drum and pass through the guide or stop 41 thereon, said lever being disposed in the path of the trip, which is movable with the fioatable bell 13. In order to normally maintain the tiltable feed-drum in a position foritsdeliveryspout 40 to be raised above the level of the water in the tank, I contemplate the employment of a counterweight 43, which in the preferred embodiment of my invention is made fast with the tiltable drum on the outside thereof and normally occupies a position on the under side of said drum. It will be understood that the drum is rocked or turned on the descent of the bell through the medium of positively-acting trip devices, so that the contents of the drum will be discharged through the spout 40 into the trap-pipe; but on ascent of the bell the trip devices are moved free from the drum, so that the counterweight is free to exert its ponderosity in a manner to return the drum to its normal position, as shown by Figs. 1 and 5, wherein the spout is raised above the water-level in the tank in order to out off the flow of water to the trap-pipe. The trip-rod 44 is arranged in a vertical position alongside of the bell and the tank, the upper end of said rod be ing fastened, as at 45, to the head of'the floatable bell, while the lower end thereof is fitted slidably in aguide 46 on the tank 10. Said triprod carries a trip-arm 47, which is clamped adjustably to the rod in any preferred way, the trip-lever 42 being disposed in the path of the trip-arm, so as to be actuated thereby on the descent of the bell. It will be understood that the bell does not descend until the gas is consumed at the burners; but on the ver is depressed to engage the bottom of the guide or stop 41, and thereby turn the drum 36 until its spout drops below the water-line in the tank 10, whereby the water is delivered from the drum into the pipe 34, to flow from thence to the pipe 32 and into the pipe 24, by which the water is distributed to the carbid. The gas generated by the water attacking the carbid flows through the pipe 32 and into the chamber of the fioatable bell through the course presently described, thus raising the bell and withdrawing the trip rod and arm from the lever 42, whereupon the counterweight 43 returns the drum to its normal position. The water is supplied to the rocking drum by means of a flexible tube 48, one end of which is coupled to the under side of said drum; but its other end is united at 49 to the tank 10 at a point below the water-line therein, thus providing for the flow of water from the tank through the flexible tube and into the rocking drum.

The gas is conveyed from the generator by a pipe 50, having operative connection with the upper end of the pipe 33, said gas-pipe 50 being provided with a branch 51, Which is carried below the bottom of the tank 10 in a manner to be united to the lower end of a condenser-shell 52. This condenser is erected in a vertical position within the Water-chamber of the tank 10, the lower end of said condenser-shell, being made fast with the bottom of said tank in any approved way. The shell 52 receives a metallic filling 53, composed, preferably, of waste metalsuch as scraps of tin, sheet metal, or other suitable material designed to alford a very large area of condensing-surface within the shell 52. This metallic filling extends from the bottom to the top of the shell, and as the shell is immersed at all times in the cool water of the tank said shell and metallic filling thereof are kept at a low temperature, whereby the heated gas from the generator will impinge against the cool metallic filling within the condenser for the purpose of having its aqueous vapors condensed by contact with the filling before the gas is admitted to the fioatable bell 13. A shield 54is secured within the condenser opposite to the delivery-orifice from the branch 51 of the gas-pipe to keep the metallic filling from packing around the port or orifice and obstructing the flow of gas into the condenser. For discharging the water of condensation from the condenser Iemploy a drain-pipe 55, which is coupled to the foot of the condenser and carried to the outside of the tank 10, through the base 11 thereof,

rectly from this condenser into the fioatable bell. I have provided means by which the course of the gas is diverted so as topass through the water, near the level thereof, for the purpose of washing the gas to eliminate any sediment which may be carried therewith from the generator. This end is attained by the employment of a cap 57, which is fitted loosely on the upper part of the condensershell, said cap extending into the water-bath in the chamber of the tank 10. The depending portion of this cap is perforated with a number of gas-ports 58, which are normally immersed in the water by the gravity of the cap, which is seated upon the shell 52; but the pressure of gas which accumulates in the generator'is sufficient to lift the cap until it is raised from the upper edge of the shell 52, whereupon the gas can pass between the shell 52 and the depending perforated part of the cap to find its egress through the gas-ports 58 into the water, from whence the gas escapes in the form of bubbles, so as to accumulate in the bell 13.

The service-pipe 59 extends through the water-bath of the tank, so as to lead through the base 11, the upper end of said pipe terminating above the water-level in the tank for the gas to flow freely from the bell, the outer part of the service-pipe having a stopcock 59. I V

A vent-pipe 60 extends through the tank 10, so as to pass through the base, and over this pipe is fitted a telescopic tube 61, the upper end of which tube is secured to the head of the bell to travel vertically therewith. At a point intermediate its length the tube is provided with a perforation 62, which is normally sealed by the water in the tank; but on the excessive generation of gas and accumulation thereof within the bell the tube rises with the bell until the perforations 62 are withdrawn from the water, thus opening a vent through the port 62, the telescopic tube, and the pipe 60 for the gas to escape.

The-gas-pipe 32 is provided at points intermediate its length with a series of threeway cocks 63, said cocks being situated for convenient manipulation by hand to open or close the passage through the pipe 32 from the generator to the gasometer. The third or extra port of each valve may be adjusted to establish communication from the gener atorto a pipe 64, which is connected to each of the three-way valves and the outer part of the vent-pipe 60, and previous to uncoupling either generator for recharging the latter this cock 63 should be opened to cut off the gas-passage through the pipe 32 to the pipe 50 and open the communication from the generator to the vent-pipe 60 through the branch connection 64, whereby the gas which may remain in the generator is free to escape through the vent-pipe 60.

The operation is as follows: The generator having been charged with carbid and the.

parts assembled substantially as shown by the drawings, the gas-bell is free to settle iii the tank 10 and carry downward the trip-rod 44. The arm 47 impinges against the lever 42 for the purpose of turning the drum 36 and discharging water into the trap-pipe, from whence the water flows through the pipe 32 into the perforated pipe 24 of one generator. Gas is at once generated by the water attacking the carbid, and the gas passes through the perforated pipe 24, the pipe 32, and the pipe 50 into the condenser, in which the aqueous vapors are condensed, and the gas is held in check until it accumulates sulficient pressure to lift the cap 57 and find a vent through the ports therein, the gas pass ing into the water, near the level thereof, and emerging from said water, so as to accumulate in the bell. The bell is raised by accumulation of gas therein to lift the trip-rod and withdraw the trip-arm from the lever, thus permitting the counterweight to return the drum to its normal position and cut off the flow of water. This operation is repeated intermittently 011 the reduction of the available gas-supply within the bell; but in the event of exhaustion of the carbid in the active generator of the battery the water will accumulate therein until it overflows the exhausted generator and thence flows into the second generator of the battery, thereby continuing the generation of gas. the valves 63 in two or more of the generators should be left in an open condition for the water to overflow from one generator to the other 3 but normally these valves are ad justed to cut off communication to the ventpipes 64 and 60. If desired, the valve to the exhausted generator may be turned to cut 0% communication with the pipe 32 and establish communication with the pipe 64; but this is not essential, because the water when it overflows the exhausted generator will displace the gas therefrom, thus obviating the necessity for venting the generator. It is therefore evident that ordinary stop-cocks may be used in lieu of the three-way valves, if desired. The exhausted generator .may now be uncoupled, carried out of doors, the spent carbid removed, and a fresh charge of active carbid placed therein, after which the generator should be brought back and assembled in operative relation to the gasometer in the manner described.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the parts while their essential features are retained and the spirit of the invention embodied. HenceIdo not desire to be limited to the precise form of all the parts as shown, reserving the right to vary therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, and a generator water supply pipe, of a fixed supportingbracket on the gasometer, a tiltable waterfeed drum mounted in said bracket and pro- It will be evident that vided on one side with aspout and on its op-.

- trip arranged to engage with said lever, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer-tank, a generator, and a trap-pipe connected with said generator, of a tiltable feed-drum mounted on the gasometer-tank in a plane approximately of the normal water-linetherein, a flexible connection between said drum and the tank, means for normally holding the tank in a position to cut off the flow of water therefrom to the trap-pipe, and trip devices for positively turning the drum against the action of its retractor, substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator having a removable cover, a perforated pipe fixed to the generator to pass loosely through the cover thereof, a coupling united to said perforated pipe, and a gasket seated on the cover around the pipe and engaging with the coupling to be compressed thereby, in combination with a pipe having connection with said coupling, means for admitting water to said pipe in regulated volumes, and a gasometer, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a gasometer provided with a vertical condenser-tube fixed to and extending below the bottom thereof, a generator having a pipe attached to the condenser-tube, a filling of metallic scraps Within said tube and forming a condensing-surface of large area, a guard, 54, fixed to the condenser-tube adjacent to the point of attachment of the generator-pipe and extendinglaterally therefrom across the part formed thereby and arresting a tendency of the scrap filling from entering said pipe, and a drain attached to the lower protruding end of the condenser-tube, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gas-pipe, 32, and a vent-pipe, of a three-way valve coupled to said gas-pipe and connected with the vent-pipe, a generator having a removable cover provided With an annular coupling-seat, a coupling having threaded connection with said'valve and fitted to the seat of the generator-cover, and a perforated pipe fixed to the generator and having threaded engagement with the coupling, substantially as described.

6. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a genera tor provided with a sealed chamber at the open end of its receptacle, a cover fitted in the sealed chamber and provided with a gasketseat, a perforated pipe attached to the gen orator and passing through the cover thereof, and a coupling screwed on said pipe and adapted to the gasket-seat of the cover, in co1nbi= nation with a horizontal pipe, and a cock or valve attached to the pipe and having thread ed engagement with said coupling, whereby the perforated pipe and coupling suspend the generator from the horizontal pipe and said coupling also confines the generator in place, substantially as described;

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

RODEN L. BECK.-

Witnesses:

O. O. WILLIAMS, J12, W. O. STEPHENS. 

